Three siblings share same passion for education
PEKAN: “It was not planned, everything was just a coincidence,” said Mohd Muzammil Ab Rahim, a teacher at SK Seri Terentang, here, when asked how he and two siblings became teachers.
The 29-year-old, who is the youngest child of trader Ab Rahim Kudin, 68, and housewife Manisah Pandi, 63, said he and his brother Saiful Adli, 38, as well as their eldest sister Noor Hasmihan, 43, did not foresee that they would one day share the same profession.
Muzammil who began his career as a teacher in 2017, said after completing the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination, he sent applications to continue his studies to several places.
As it turned out, the first offer he received was from the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG).
“The (career) path at IPG seemed easier for me, and this year, I have been a teacher for five years,” he told Bernama in an interview in conjunction with Teacher’s Day, which is celebrated on May 16.
The Bahasa Melayu teacher said one of the advantages of having the same career as his siblings was that they could exchange views, especially related to teaching and learning.
“My brother-in-law is also a teacher, so when we get together, the issues that we discuss, besides teaching and learning, are regarding students and schools.
“I often ask for my sister’s and brother’s opinions because they have more experience in this field,” he said.
Muzammil is an active teacher who won the National- Level Teacher’s Debate and Excellent Service Award last year.
In the same year, he guided his students in poetry to become the national champions.
When asked about his sister, he said Noor Hasmihan began her career in 2004 teaching English at SK Sungai Danga in Johor Baru.
Muzammil said he was in the final stages of completing a Master’s degree in Malay Studies, adding that, at the same time, his brother was working towards finishing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the field of Educational Measurement and Evaluation at the University of Malaya.
Saiful Adli, who teaches Islamic Education at SMK Tengku Abdullah, here, said his passion for education has driven him to continue his studies.
“Besides that, my wife, who is a dentist, is also a motivation for me to pursue my studies. I believe with research we can also gain new knowledge and share it with the community,” he said.
A recipient of the Federal Training Award scholarship from the Education Ministry, he said one of the challenges he had to face was maintaining the will to complete research writing so that he could graduate within the stipulated period.
“When pursuing our studies at this level, we have to read a lot and have to do it diligently,” said the father of two, who is continuing his studies on a full-time basis.